Ultimate Costa Rica Guide
Make your trip to Costa Rica a holiday to never forget! This guide will provide you with a variety of tips and info to plan your trip to Costa Rica.
Basic Information
What languages are used in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a Spanish-speaking country. Many, but not all, Costa Ricans speak English to accommodate rising tourism, however giving your best shot at Spanish is always appreciated!
Where is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a country located in Central America, between Nicaragua (North) and Panama (South), it is attached at both ends, so it is not an island.
What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a country that has many different types of environments and climates, which is part of what makes it so interesting! Temperatures are measured in Celsius.
There are two main seasons: Dry Season and Wet Season. The Dry Season affects most of the country from about mid-December to mid-May, and the Wet Season comes around from mid-May through to the end of November. The rainiest months are September and October, but more often than not, the rain comes in the afternoons so you can still enjoy most mornings.
On the Atlantic side of the country, you can experience a little less rain in October, but more rain in general throughout the year.
Costa Rica is tropical, meaning it is pretty humid most of the time - probably more than you would expect. Certain areas of the country can have cooler temperatures, such as the higher mountainous regions, whereas other parts will have (a lot) higher temperatures, like oceanside towns. This can make packing tricky if you plan to go to areas with different climates!
Check out my Costa Rica Packing Checklist or watch What to Pack for Costa Rica | 12 Essential Items to Pack
What Currencies are used in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican Colon and in most cases US Dollars (this will depend on the vendor). The use of Colones is much better to avoid being subject to poor currency exchange rates. US Dollars and Credit/Debit Cards are almost always accepted in tourist destinations. In very select areas, BitCoin is accepted as payment.
What Are the International Airports in costa rica?
In Costa Rica, there are currently two international airports: (SJO) Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, and (LIR) Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste.
What side of the road do you drive on in costa rica?
In Costa Rica, you drive on the right side of the road (the same as in North America.)
When is the best time to visit costa rica?
This depends! The Wet Season from mid-May to the end of November can be great for budget travelers who like a little more adventure, and less crowds. The Dry Season from December to mid-May is the time to go if you want to avoid the rain - this is the most popular time of year to visit. You can also visit the Atlantic side of Costa Rica in October for nicer weather exclusively on that side of the country.
what are the best places to visit in costa rica?
The top destinations in Costa Rica are La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Jacó, Osa, Tamarindo and its surrounding towns in Guanacaste, San José, Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero, and a few areas around these top spots. All of them have their own characteristics and climates. You can learn a bit more by checking my Top Destinations page.
what is the best way to travel in costa rica?
The best way to get around is by renting a car and driving. There are many options for shuttle services, smaller planes, and taxis, however, because the country is limited to only a few routes to get to each destination, travel times can be long and therefore the costs of these services can be high.
There are bus services to and from some destinations which is a cheap option, but to many destinations, it can be very complicated with multiple transfers and long travel times on hot, fully occupied buses.
Watch my video about Driving in Costa Rica